oops. Wasn't done.
3. The rhythm is 99% of the time perfect, and the accent is on the right syllables.
4. The words sort of flow nicely as in normal speech.
5. They do not have to tell a story.
6. They do not have to use good grammar.
7. The song does not have to make sense, hence all the discussions about Carrickfergus, Raglan Road, American Pie etc.
8. The very best of songs often say the exact place and the exact time..in 1880 when flowers were a brilliant hue..on the 23rd day in teh month of June in the year of 54..etc.
9. Likewise they often give names..my name is Jon Johnson I come from Wisconsin..
10. They can not be too simple but they can easily and swiftly get too long or complicated (doo dah doo dah).
11. They have a low ratio of words to musical beats.
12. They can be sung by the common man or woman, and if they are, then you have a true song...
13. They are out there in the universe whizzing around the world and just turn your radio on and bring down a few.